EasyJet is launching cheap flights to Jordan - here's why you should go

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As easyJet launches a new service from Gatwick to Aqaba, we explore a small country with a rich history.

In the red

You’re never going to be short of profile if you’ve been to the scene of a very celebrated case of “wow, how did he do that?!”. Ever since Moses did that whole parting-of-the-waves thing, and received a thrilled write-up in the Bible, the Red Sea has been near the top of the list of the world’s most fabled bodies of salty water. Trouble is, it has also been tricky to reach of late, thanks to Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice that effectively stops British travellers from visiting the Egyptian resorts Sharm el Sheikh and Taba. So the launch, this weekend, of a new direct easyJet service from Gatwick to Jordan’s seaside city Aqaba is good news for winter sun devotees. Returns for £278 (easyjet.com).

Toga party

What did the Romans ever do for Jordan? Well, yes, they conquered it a fair bit. But they built the city of Jerash. Yeah, OK, so they took the ancient Greek city of Gerasa, and made it bigger and better. Point is, two millennia on, said site, while ruined, is still magnificent – as unmissable a piece of Jordanian antiquity as Petra. It sits 35 miles (56km) north of Amman. Day trips from £43pp with Viator (uk.viator.com; reference 22721P17).

Manara from heaven

So, is Jordan a “Red Sea destination”? Well, yes, but only just. The country has just 26 miles (43km) of coast. Not quite enough for a marathon but more than enough for several beach resorts. Seven nights at the five-star Al Manara hotel, flying out on Jan 19, start at £762pp; easyjet.com/holidays.

Ayla be back

Aqaba is perfect for a beach-and-city escape. The Ayla district is a glitzy marina zone of man-made lagoons and sands. The Aqaba Heritage Museum (see aqaba.jo; free) charts the port’s previous centuries in depth.

The ancient city of PetraCredit:
istock

On a crusade

Aqaba is also an ideal base for dashes to Petra – the desert citadel that is very famous for popping up in 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”. Oh, and for being the first-century epicentre of the Nabataean civilisation, if you’re going to be a stickler for some actual historical facts. It’s a round-trip of 150 miles (232km) from the beach front. Memphis Tours (memphistours.com) deals in day-jaunts from £144 per person.

Jor-dropping

Jordan’s relative compactness means you can enjoy much of the must-see stuff in a week or thereabouts. Witness the eight-day “Highlights of Jordan” tour sold by Steppes Travel, which goes all Greatest Hits on participants, flitting to Amman, Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum – and the Dead Sea. From £2,270pp, with flights (steppestravel.co.uk).

Amman’s world

If you want to wander farther, your curiosity will be rewarded. Capital city Amman is a gem, all fine eateries on Al-Rainbow Street and busy souks in Al-Balad (visitjordan.com). Three nights at the Hotel Kempinski start at £1,097, with flights – via kirkerholidays.com.

Dead calm

Not only can Jordan claim a slice of the Red Sea; it boasts a chunk of the Dead Sea. Which isn’t a sea – more a hypersaline lake so hyper in its salinity that you can pluck salt crystals from its bed. Still, this is fun. And yes, you are obliged to pose for that photo – where you float about reading a paper as the salt concentration in the water gives you extra buoyancy. Doubles at the Dead Sea Marriott Resort (marriott.co.uk) from £126.

Rum do

Wadi Rum, best known for its connection with Lawrence of Arabia, features heavily in the eight-day “Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea” holiday dispensed by wildfrontierstravel.com. From £1,595 per person; flights extra.

Wadi Rum, Jordan's desertCredit:
getty

Absolute marsa-piece

It isn’t true to say that the Egyptian Red Sea is completely off-limits to British tourists. Because, well, there’s a lot of it. You can still go to Hurghada – and to Marsa Alam. A seven-night, all-inclusive stay in the latter, at the four-star Jaz Lamaya Resort, flying from Gatwick on Dec 16, costs from £471pp, with tui.co.uk.